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Drugs and alcohol in the rail workplace
News about drug and alcohol abuse is often in the headlines nowadays. More often than not it is linked to a story about crime or social decline saying that drug use within the teenage and adult community in the UK is increasing, but it is rarely linked to every day working situations. However, all companies should have a robust policy on drug and alcohol use. It is an essential health and safety tool.
The title of the act controlling drugs – The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - holds the key to drug and alcohol policies. Whilst drugs and alcohol can and often do have a serious impact on the lives of the individuals and families concerned, it is the misuse or inappropriate use of drugs and alcohol than can have serious safety consequences in the workplace. In the rail sector, the use of drugs and alcohol can affect the individual, their colleagues, the public and passengers.
Employees have a right to a private life, but when their actions outside or inside the workplace could go on to affect safety, the employer has a duty of care to protect all those concerned. Fixed rail employers must also take account of the Transport and Works Act, which places a responsibility on them to ensure their staff are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when carrying out their duties.
Scientifics is one of the accredited companies which work alongside businesses in the rail sector and other industries to ensure they have effective drug and alcohol policies. As well as consultancy assistance, they carry out testing, monitoring and analysis of employees’ urine to make certain that they are compliant with the relevant drug and alcohol policies. Some of this consultancy work is about educating the individuals about the effects of drugs and alcohol.
So, what are the effects?
Let’s start with alcohol, one of the most widely used and abused substances in the western world. There is a lot of guidance on alcohol intake especially with respect to driving. The advice is basically this: do not drink and drive at all. This is the best and safest practice and it is this best practice that should be applied in safety critical environments.
Some drugs are more commonly used than others, so let’s look at a selection of the more common drugs and their effects.
Speed or whiz is actually amphetamine and methamphetamine – it will give the user a buzz and increased energy levels. Is it likely to be used in the workplace? Yes it is. People at work may use amphetamine and methamphetamine to keep going when energy levels are low,
in much the same way others use caffeine.
Benzodiazepines –Diazepam, Temazepam, Flunitrazepam (Rohpnol)-are very useful drugs with a wide range of uses and effects. They are prescription only drugs and can be prescribed for conditions such as muscle spasm, used in operations carried out under local anaesthetic, to aid sleep and to treat stress and anxiety. Some low dose short acting benzodiazepines may have very limited safety implications but others will cause drowsiness and loss of concentration.
Cannabis is a popular drug viewed by many as legal and less harmful than alcohol. The initial effects of cannabis use include a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. It makes people feel good. It also distorts your sense of space and time which could mean that when going towards a wall in a fork lift truck, the wall may seem much further away than it actually is.
These drugs are just three of the categories tested in the rail environment. As well as illicit drugs, prescription medications, over the counter medications and naturally occurring plants and herbs can have an effect on a person’s ability to carry out safety critical activities. Staff should be made aware of this and their responsibility to alert their employers of any possible safety implications. Employers need to educate staff on the issues associated with alcohol and drug use and have procedures in place to care for staff that may have problems.
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